Device for mining coal and the like



June 2, 1931. F. KALLA DEVICE FOR MINING CO AL AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22. 1929 June 2, 1931. KALLA 1,808,307

DEVICE FOR MINING COAL AND THE LIKE Filed ,June 22, 1929 2 Sheets$heet 2 N 4 C lg. N M i Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANZ KALLA, OF LAGIEWNIKI, GORNY SLAS K, SZYB OARNALL, POLAND DEVICE FOR MINING COAL AND THE "LIKE Application filed June 22, 1929, Serial No.

The object of the present invention is to devise a method whereby coal-mining and the like can be conveniently and effectively carried out by cutting regular blocks from the working face, and the invention consists in cross-slitting the working face first in a horizontal direction obliquely upwards and downwards, in each instance at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal, and then vertically at right angles to the face so as to effect a formation and complete separation of regular, rectangular blocks.

A suitable slitting tool is provided according to the invention by the provision of an endless toothed chain which is operated mechanically through the medium of sprocket wheels and a flexible shaft end which is guided by means of a frame on the ledges formed in the working face by the taking out of the blocks.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a perspective view of the working face prepared for cutting,

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the same after the commencement of the worka Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slitting tool in operation, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the tool.

The working face of the coal seam or the like is divided up into blocks which according to the invention are produced by slitting the face first in horizontal direction obliquely upwards and downwards, in each instance at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal and then vertically in order to separate out the blocks. In Fig. 1 of the drawings the upward slits are indicated at a, a a and a and the downward slits at b, 6 b and 6 These slits meet at right angles, and the subsequent vertical slits will therefore produce uniform, rectangular blocks, as indicated in Fig. 2.

In order to facilitate the work and maintain regularity in the block formation, the slitting tool must be provided with suitable guide elements. An appropriate tool is il lustrated in Figs. 3 and 4:, and consists of an endless, toothed chain end which is mounted on sprocket wheels is and m. The latter are 373,030, and in Germany April 16, 1928.

held between plates 0, 0 which-guide the chain and which are connected by means of an adjustable carrier to a frame comprising a base plate 0, two brackets f and g, and a sleeve 71 wherein an operating shaft of the sprocket wheel 70 is guided. The operating shaft connects through a flexible extension 72. with a suitable driving motor. The sleeve z is adapted to serve as a handle, and another handle p, arranged at right angles to the cally, as shewn in Fig. 1, and marked out for the block divisions. Then a wooden guide is made, of V-shaped or triangular crosssection, corresponding to a diagonal half of one row of blocks and this guide is wedged at the ends to the sides of the gallery so as to serve as a temporary support for the tool while the first incisions are made. Afterwards, each ledge produced by the removal of the blocks will serve as a guide for the tool and ensure a perfectly regular block forma- 0 tion. The chain is moved and guided so as to extract the dust from the slits and so as to maintain the plate 0 against the guide surface, thereby facilitating the manipulation of the tool.

For making the vertical slits, the wooden guide is also employed, it being for this purpose secured by suitable means in the required position.

The upward cuts are always made first,

and the face is preferably maintained at the downward slope shewn in Fig. 2, so that the blocks, after having been severed, can be easily removed along the sloping surface.

In the case of very high seams, the face can easily be worked with several machines operating on different levels, suitable scaffoldings being erected for the work on the higher levels.

The method is applicable in the mining of Iedge 65 rock salt, potash and other minerals as Well as for cutting slate and marble.

I claim:

A device for cutting coal and the like comprising a base plate having a down-turned guide edge, a pair of brackets on said plate, a sleeve bridging said brackets and forming a handle, a driving shaft arranged rotatably in said sleeve, a pair of plates arranged to swing about said shaft, a pair of sprocket Wheels mounted between said plates, one of said sprocket Wheels mounted on the shaft, an endless toothed chain mounted on said sprocket Wheels and guided on said plates, and a handle connected to said plates at right angles to said sleeve.

v FRANZKALLA. 

